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LeBron James named USA Basketball Male Athlete of Year

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Following a year in which he helped lead the 2012 U.S. Olympic Men's Basketball Team to a gold medal, the USA Men's National Team to an unblemished exhibition record and the Miami

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Following a year in which he helped lead the 2012 U.S. Olympic Men's Basketball Team to a gold medal, the USA Men's National Team to an unblemished exhibition record and the Miami Heat to the 2012 NBA Championship,LeBron James (Miami Heat) was named the 2012 USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year.

James is one of just two players in the history of the game to win MVP, the NBA Championship and the Olympics in the same year, along with Michael Jordan.

"It's an honor that I have been named the 2012 USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year," James said. "It's always an honor to represent my country. I never do it to be recognized or to receive an award, I do it because I love my country and the game of basketball. It is an honor to be recognized with this award, it's humbling."

Starting in all eight Olympic wins for the USA, James averaged 13.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, a team-high 5.6 assists and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 60.3 percent from the field July 29-Aug. 12 in London.

"LeBron was the central figure on this team," said Mike Krzyzewski, USA and Duke head coach. "He was our leader, our best player, our playmaker. He led us in assists, 45 assists and only eight turnovers, and he did that having just won an NBA championship, being MVP of the finals and of the league, so he was very unselfish. I thought he really showed amazing leadership. His ability to communicate with everyone, that means players and coaches, and get us all on the same page was really incredible. I'm so proud of him."

James is now one of three U.S. players to participate in three Olympics. He owns two Olympic gold medals (2008, 2012) and one bronze (2004).

"LeBron is very deserving of this award, and USA Basketball is proud to celebrate his performance in 2012, as well as his commitment to playing for his country," said Jim Tooley, USA Basketball Executive Director/CEO. "He was a great teammate during the Olympics, and his leadership was invaluable to the team's success."

USA Basketball's Male Athlete of the Year Award was established in 1980 to recognize a USA Basketball athlete who, during the year of the award, made a significant impact on the success of his team's performance. The USA Basketball Board of Directors is responsible for selecting USA Basketball's annual awards.